Sep 6, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback Fredi Knighten (9) is pursued by Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Owen Williams (58) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 34 to 19. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Owen Williams — Defensive Tackle
2014 stats: 21 tackles — 2 sacks
One of the few starters that Tennessee will replace next season is defensive tackle Jordan Williams, who started all 13 games at defensive tackle for the Vols in 2014.
And while most fans are dreaming of a defensive interior that includes Shy Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie (and trust me, that is definitely the future), that’s unlikely to be the case next season — at least at the start.
Rising redshirt senior Owen Williams will almost certainly be one of the Vols’ starting defensive tackles to start the 2015 season.
Williams played in 12 games in 2014, missing only one game after undergoing thumb surgery in early October. The Georgia native saw plenty of reps and was a solid contributor for the big orange this past season.
But Williams, even with studs like Tuttle and McKenzie on the way, will have to step up in 2015. The Vols won’t have to rely on true freshmen in 2015 like they did in 2014, as long as players like Owen Williams can make a meaningful impact.
The former JuCo transfer doesn’t have fans excited like some of the Vols’ incoming recruits, but he’s certainly a player that can make a big difference for Tennessee next season.